The Washington Nationals entered the 2013 MLB season with glowing reviews, poised to take over the NL East and power their way to a potential World Series. A rocky start derailed their campaign though and the Nationals had to fight their way back into contention with a strong second half. It wasn’t enough to capture the division but it did get them to an 86 win season and garnered some optimism for 2014. With a new manager in Matt Williams and the addition of a few key players, the Washington Nationals are once again being touted as the team to beat in the NL East. Anticipation is high in Washington and the Nationals should now realize that 2014 is the year in which they control their own destiny.

2014 Washington Nationals – A Few New Faces

The Nationals didn’t dip very deeply into the free agent market but they did make some additions that could pay dividends. Doug Fister joins an already strong rotation headed by Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman. Strasburg struggled early last season but now seems to have gained control and is a smarter pitcher overall. Zimmerman stayed tough, winning 19 games and set himself up to be the top pitcher in 2014. Adding Fister, a control freak who rarely gives up the big hit, sets up Washington with the best rotation in the division. Another new face is Jerry Blevins, who will join an already solid cast of relievers Rafael Sariana, Tyler Clippard, and Drew Storen.

Washington does need to improve on the offensive side of the ball. The Nationals were strictly average in batting and slightly below average in On Base Percentage. Generating a few more runs should be a top priority for Williams in the new season. Bryce Harper is poised for a big year after battling injury last season, and Jayson Werth looked to be coming on late, garnering some votes for MVP and his versatility makes him even more valuable.

The 2014 Washington Nationals and the NL East

Pound for pound, the Washington Nationals should easily be the best team in the National League East. They just have to prove it in 2014. The pitching is there, the hitting should get better, and the atmosphere is one of confidence. Washington has some competition in the Atlanta Braves but the rest of the division should be easy pickings. Look for the Washington Nationals to win 90-100 games and head into the playoffs with plenty to prove.

Washington Nationals tickets are going fast as this exciting team seeks to take the next step toward a World Series championship. Nationals Park is the place to be all summer to watch all your favorite stars, including Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmermann. This team came one out away from the National League Championship Series last year, and there’s reason to believe the Nats will go further in 2013.

Buy Nats tickets online and see new closer Rafael Soriano mow down opposing batters. The Nationals did not stand pat in the offseason, so buy Washington Nationals tickets now to catch all the action. The Washington Nationals schedule is loaded with juicy matchups against rivals like the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.

Last year the Nationals limited Strasburg’s innings to protect his arm, and it left some Nats fans frustrated. This year there are no such restrictions on the fireballer, who enters the season as a top Cy Young candidate. He averaged 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings last season. Buy Washington Nationals tickets online and see Strasburg overpower the best hitters in baseball.

Under legendary manager Davey Johnson, the Nationals posted the best record in the major leagues last season and won their first NL East title since moving back to Washington, D.C. in 2005. Pitching is where it starts for the Nats, who compiled a 3.40 ERA last season, second-best in baseball. Get your Washington Nationals tickets and watch scintillating leadoff hitter Denard Span sets the table for this potent offense, which features Ian Desmond, Adam LaRoche and the cocky Harper.Nationals Park comes alive every time this team takes the field. They have five players who should hit at least 20 home runs and five starters who are almost guaranteed to make a quality start every time out. Baseball is still the national pastime, and nowhere is that more evident than at Nationals Park, where a festive atmosphere prevails.

Buy Nats tickets and see a team that has for good reason adopted this motto: World Series or bust. This will be Johnson’s final season as manager before moving to the front office, and the Nats want to send him out on top. Get your Washington Nationals tickets now!

The Washington Nationals - MLB Baseball's and D.C's newest franchise

WASHINGTON NATIONALS TICKETS

The recent birth of the Washington Nationals in 2005 has brought new hope for Washington, D.C., a city that has already had two other teams come and go. The Nationals, or “Nats” as fans have started calling their newborn, have been growing a steady fan base during their short time in Washington. Fans have been grabbing their Nationals tickets to make sure they don’t miss out on all the action during the new season. Carrying the red, white, and blue theme of the United States flag, the Nationals are doing their best to be the nation’s beloved team, and take it to the top. Why Nationals Tickets Are Worth Every Penny

Formerly the Montreal Expos, this team has seen its share of games since 1969, gaining an overwhelming amount of experience since its inception. Since the team’s relocation to Washington, D.C, the tides have turned for the former Expos. With fan attendance better in its first year as the Nationals than the last three years in Montreal, the team has been looking stronger than ever and is ready to take the new year on by storm, expecting to sell even more Nationals tickets than the previous seasons.

With new ownership under Ted Lerner, the Nationals finally broke away from MLB ownership, giving them new financial freedoms to bring the team to new levels and add new fresh talent to their roster. Not only that, Stan Kasten, former sports exec of the Atlanta Braves, recently took over as President of the team, giving the Nationals a new approach – building the Nationals from the ground up, harnessing young talent and focusing on the team.

With all the young talent, experience, and fresh approach to building the team into a vital component of the Major Baseball League, the Washington Nationals have proven that their fans will get their money’s worth when they purchase Nationals tickets.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game with RFK Stadium Tickets

With about $20 million in renovations since the Nationals made their way to Washington, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a historic stadium in U.S. history. Being the fourth oldest stadium in MLB history, fans love to catch shows at the RFK stadium and support their Nationals. Though the ballpark is a piece of history, it will host its last game in 2007. Those in attendance during the final game at RFK will be apart of history, thankful to have had Nationals tickets this season. You’ll Want Nationals Tickets for These Big Match-Ups

The Nationals will face the Philadelphia Phillies during their final game at RFK Stadium. This match-up will be one for the history books and a great memory for all the fans that get to be apart of it. Division-rival, the New York Mets, are bound to cause a ruckus when they make their way to RFK, but the Nationals don’t plan on letting the Mets get away with much this season. Nationals tickets are going fast, and for a lot of good reasons this year.

Fans who purchased Washington Nationals tickets last summer were treated to quite the unexpected performance by their DC heroes. A refurbished RFK stadium was rockin' and rollin' for most of the season as the Nats exceeded expectations and contended admirably for the East Division of the National League. Remember, these were the Montreal Expos who spent the previous year bouncing from Canada to Puerto Rico. The move south of the border seemed to agree with Frank Robinson’s team and the locals. As the team's fortunes rose, so to did Washington National ticket sales. Even though the team eventually leveled off and settled into last place at 81-81, big things are expected for the 2006 season.

The wise heads in Washington, D.C. knew changes were called for if they were ever to challenge perennial champion Atlanta. Bringing in superb batsmen Alfonso Soriano was a good start. Scoring more runs was paramount among GM Jim Bowden’s plans to improve the team. Soriano’s power numbers in Texas were impressive and should help The Nats tremendously, but he comes with some baggage. Where does he play? He’s already on record as stating he wouldn’t move to the outfield but Bowden still traded for him in hopes of a softening of his stance. The Nats are better off with Vidro at second. Bowden is hoping Soriano eventually realizes it.

But as Harry Caray used to say, “What about the pitching?”

Well, Harry, the strength of Washington’s staff is in the bullpen with arms like Gary Majewski, Jon Rauch, Joey Eischen and Mike Stanton ready to put out fires as they develop. Add the recently signed Felix Rodriguez and things appear to be set. The starters will be paced by Livan Hernandez who won 15 times last year and posted an ERA under 4.00. At the other end of the spectrum, Brian Lawrence lost 15 in 2005 with an ERA just under 5.00. If his cutter isn’t working, it’s time for the pen! Tony Armas Jr. will contribute if he comes back from shoulder problems that have stunted his development. John Patterson appears positioned to take the next step. He needs to make the same strides Chicago’s Jon Garland made for the World Champs last year.

A lot has to go right for Washington to make a move in the East. With better support from an improved offense, RFK Stadium will be a joyous venue for those who purchased Washington Nationals tickets for the 2006 campaign.